From weak to strong interactions: structural and electron topology analysis of the continuum from the supramolecular chalcogen bonding to covalent bonds

The relationship between covalent and supramolecular bonding, and the criteria of the assignments of different interactions were explored via the review of selenium and tellurium containing structures in the Cambridge Structural Database and their computational analysis using Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). This combined study revealed continuums of the interatomic Se⋯Br and Te⋯I distances, d_Ch⋯X, in the series of associations from the sums of the van der Waals radii of these atoms (r_Ch + r_X) to their covalent bond lengths. The electron densities, ρ(r), at Bond Critical Points (BCPs) along the chalcogen bond paths increased gradually from about 0.01 a.u. common for the non-covalent interactions to about 0.1 a.u. typical for the covalent bonds. The log ρ(r) values fell on the same linear trend line when plotted against normalized interatomic distances, R_XY = d_Ch⋯X/(r_Ch + r_X). The transition from the positive to negative values of the energy densities, H(r), at the BCPs (related to a changeover of essentially non-covalent into partially covalent interactions) were observed at R_XY ≈ 0.80. Synchronous changes of bonding characteristics with R_XY (similar to that found earlier in the halogen-bonded systems) designated normalized interatomic separation as a critical factor determining the nature of these bondings. The uninterrupted continuums of Te⋯I and Se⋯Br bond lengths and BCPs' characteristics signified an intrinsic link between limiting types of bonding involving chalcogen atoms and between covalent and supramolecular bonding in general.

Long-Range Supramolecular Synthon Isomerism: Insight from a Case Study of Vinylic Tellurium Trihalides Cl(Ph)C=C(Ph)TeX3 (X = Cl, I)

A slight modification of the synthetic procedure resulted in a new (Cc) polymorph of vinylic tellurium-trichloride Z-Cl(Ph)C=C(Ph)TeCl3 (1, β-form) which is stabilized by Te⋯Cl chalcogen bonds, assembling its molecules into the zigzag chains. Such a packing motive is in contrast to the known (Pca21) polymorph of Z-Cl(Ph)C=C(Ph)TeCl3 (1, α-form, CCDC refcode: BESHOW), which is built upon Te⋯π(Ph) chalcogen bonded chains. We noted a similar case of [Te⋯halogen] vs. [Te⋯π(Ph)] supramolecular synthon polymorphism in its triiodide congener Z-Cl(Ph)C=CPh(TeI3) (2, α and β-polymorphic forms). Quantum chemical calculations of the intermolecular interaction and lattice energies for 1α–β and 2α–β supported the assumption that α is thermodynamic while β is a kinetic form. Kinetic forms 1β and 2β are isostructural (Cc), while the thermodynamic forms 1α (Pca21) and 2α (P21/c) are not and feature an unusual example of long-range supramolecular synthon module isomerism. In other words, 1α–2α pairs demonstrate very similarly to isostructural Te⋯πPh ChB stabilized chains, which are further packed differently relative to each other, following different angular geometry of type-I Cl⋯Cl and type-II I⋯I halogen bonding. These structural considerations are backed by quantum chemical calculations that support the proposed hierarchy of primary and secondary supramolecular synthons and the assignment of α and β as thermodynamic and kinetic forms, respectively.

Bis(2-pyridyl)ditellane as a precursor to CoII, CuI and CuII complex formation: structural characterization and photocatalytic studies

Coordination compounds containing bis(2-pyridyl)ditellane as a precursor and transition metals are described. The cobalt-containing photocatalysts are active for H2 production.

Vapochromic Luminescent π-Conjugated Systems with Reversible Coordination-Number Control of Hypervalent Tin(IV)-Fused Azobenzene Complexes

The dynamic and reversible changes of coordination numbers between five and six in solution and solid states, based on hypervalent tin(IV)-fused azobenzene (TAz) complexes, are reported. It was found that the TAz complexes showed deep-red emission owing to the hypervalent bond composed of an electron-donating three-center four-electron (3c-4e) bond and an electron-accepting nitrogen-tin (N-Sn) coordination. Furthermore, hypsochromic shifts in optical spectra were observed in Lewis basic solvents because of alteration of the coordination number from five to six. In particular, vapochromic luminescence was induced by attachment of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) vapor to the coordination point at the tin atom accompanied with a crystal-crystal phase transition. Additionally, the color-change mechanism and degree of binding constants were well explained by theoretical calculation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of vapochromic luminescence by using stable and variable coordination numbers of hypervalent bonds.

Crystals at a Carrefour on the Way through the Phase Space: A Middle Path

Multiple supramolecular functionalities of cyclic α-alkoxy tellurium-trihalides (including Te---O, Te---X (X = Br, I) and Te---π(C=C) supramolecular synthons) afford rich crystal packing possibilities, which consequently results in polymorphism or Z’ > 1 crystal structures. Example of three crystal forms of cyclohexyl-ethoxy-tellurium-trihalides, one of which combines the packing of two others, affords a unique model to observe the supramolecular synthon evolution at the early stages of crystallization, when crystals on the way find themself at a carrefour between the evolutionally close routes, but fail to choose between two energetically close packing patterns, so taking the “middle path”, which incorporates both of them (and results in two crystallographically independent molecules). In general, this allows a better understanding of the existing structures, and an instrument to search for the new polymorphic forms.

Halogen Bonding in the Complexes of Brominated Electrophiles with Chloride Anions: From a Weak Supramolecular Interaction to a Covalent Br–Cl Bond

The wide-range variation of the strength of halogen bonds (XB) not only facilitates a variety of applications of this interaction, but it also allows examining the relation (and interconversion) between supramolecular and covalent bonding. Herein, the Br…Cl halogen bonding in a series of complexes of bromosubstituted electrophiles (R-Br) with chloride anions were examined via X-ray crystallographic and computational methods. Six co-crystals showing such bonding were prepared by evaporation of solutions of R-Br and tetra-n-propylammonium chloride or using Cl− anions released in the nucleophilic reaction of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane with dichloromethane in the presence of R-Br. The co-crystal comprised networks formed by 3:3 or 2:2 halogen bonding between R-Br and Cl−, with the XB lengths varying from 3.0 Å to 3.25 Å. Analysis of the crystallographic database revealed examples of associations with substantially longer and shorter Br…Cl separations. DFT computations of an extended series of R–Br…Cl− complexes confirmed that the judicious choice of brominated electrophile allows varying halogen Br…Cl bond strength and length gradually from the values common for the weak intermolecular complexes to that approaching a fully developed covalent bond. This continuity of halogen bond strength in the experimental (solid-state) and calculated associations indicates a fundamental link between the covalent and supramolecular bonding.

Chimeric supramolecular synthons in Ph2Te2(I2)Se

Iodination of Ph₂Te₂Se by molecular iodine is directed towards the Te atom and yields {diiodo[(phenyltellanyl)selanyl]-λ⁴-tellanyl}benzene, PhTeSeTeI₂Ph or C₁₂H₁₀I₂SeTe₂. The molecule can be considered as a chimera of PhTeSeR, PhTeSeTePh and R'TeI₂Ph fragments. The crystal structure features a complex interplay of the supramolecular synthons Te...π(Ph), Se...Te and I...Te, combining molecules into a three-dimensional framework. Their combination affords long-range supramolecular synthons which are fused in a way resembling the mythological chimera and could be defined as chimeric supramolecular synthons. The energies of the intermolecular interactions have also been calculated and analyzed.